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Tournament History

Orlando’s Signature Event

Since moving to Bay Hill in 1979, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard has become one of the most important annual stops on the PGA TOUR.

Bearing the name of a legend, the tournament has seen the best players in the world compete for Arnie’s title at the place he called home. As Mr. Palmer once said, “You must play boldly to win” and for nearly five decades that statement has proven true every March at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

through the decades

  • 1960s

    1966–1969

    The Citrus Open

    The Arnold Palmer Invitational legacy begins with the Florida Citrus Open. Hosted at the nearby Rio Pinar, the Citrus Open was where the first seeds of Orlando’s Signature Sporting Event were sown.

  • 1970s

    1970–1979

    A New Era

    Throughout the 60s and 70s, the Florida Citrus Open served as a proving ground for PGA TOUR pros like Lee Trevino, Julius Boros, and Arnold Palmer. Mr. Palmer even hoisted the trophy in 1971.

    In 1975, Mr. Palmer purchased the Bay Hill Club & Lodge. And in 1979, it became home to the eventual Arnold Palmer Invitational.

  • 1980s

    1980–1989

    Prestige is Earned

    The 1980s were the first full decade of the tournament at Bay Hill. In this ten-year span, the future of the tournament was shaped by winners like Payne Stewart and Paul Azinger who brought their A-game to the PGA TOUR newcomer – and etched their names in Bay Hill history.

  • 1990s

    1990–1999

    A Game-Changing Decade

    In an era where the world changed dramatically numerous pros rose to the occasion, including PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, Robert Gamez, who claimed the first victory of the decade.

  • 2000s

    2000–2009

    The Reign of Tiger

    Across the golf world, one name can inspire both admiration and fear in the hearts of fans and players alike: Tiger. From his first win in 2000 to his sixth in 2009, his performances at Bay Hill defined the decade and changed the sport as a whole.

    Despite Tiger’s dominance, however, it’s Vijay Singh who holds the distinct honor of becoming the first-ever winner after the name was changed to the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2007.

  • 2010s

    2010–2019

    The Proving Ground

    While Tiger Woods claimed back-to-back wins in 2012 and 2013, bringing his tournament total up to an eye-watering eight, the decade belonged to the next generation. Matt Every’s twin wins and Rory McIlroy’s back-nine charge to victory were evidence that for those with something to prove, Bay Hill was the place to do it.

  • 2020s

    2020s

    Orlando’s Signature Event

    Just a few years into our fifth decade, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard has proven to be more than a golf tournament: it’s a destination for golf fans, pros, and families, and stands as an enduring tribute to the legacy of Mr. Arnold Palmer. Designated as a PGA TOUR Signature Event, our player field, purse, and prestige place us among the top stages in the sport.

Past Champions

Champion image of Tournament Player
2024 Champ
Scottie Scheffler
Score: 273
2nd Place:
Wyndham Clark
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2023 Champ
Kurt Kitayama
Score: 279
2nd Place:
Rory McIlroy, Harris English
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2022 Champ
Scottie Scheffler
Score: 283
2nd Place:
Tyrrell Hatton, Billy Horschel, Viktor Hovland
Champion image of Tournament Player
2021 Champ
Bryson DeChambeau
Score: 277
2nd Place:
Lee Westwood
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2020 Champ
Tyrrell Hatton
Score: 284
2nd Place:
Marc Leishman
Champion image of Tournament Player
2019 Champ
Francesco Molinari
Score: 276
2nd Place:
Matthew Fitzpatrick
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2018 Champ
Rory McIlroy
Score: 270
2nd Place:
Bryson DeChambeau
Champion image of Tournament Player
2017 Champ
Marc Leishman
Score: 277
2nd Place:
Kevin Kisner
Champion image of Tournament Player
2016 Champ
Jason Day
Score: 271
2nd Place:
Kevin Chappell
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2015 Champ
Matt Every
Score: 269
2nd Place:
Henrik Stenson
Champion image of Tournament Player
2014 Champ
Matt Every
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Keegan Bradley
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2013 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Justin Rose
Champion image of Tournament Player
2012 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Graeme McDowell
Champion image of Tournament Player
2011 Champ
Martin Laird
Score: 280
2nd Place:
Steve Marino
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2010 Champ
Ernie Els
Score: 277
2nd Place:
Edoardo Molinari, Kevin Na
Champion image of Tournament Player
2009 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Sean O’Hair
Champion image of Tournament Player
2008 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 270
2nd Place:
Bart Bryant
Champion image of Tournament Player
2007 Champ
Vijay Singh
Score: 274
2nd Place:
Rocco Mediate
Champion image of Tournament Player
2006 Champ
Rod Pampling
Score: 274
2nd Place:
Greg Owen
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2005 Champ
Kenny Perry
Score: 276
2nd Place:
Graeme McDowell, Vijay Singh
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2004 Champ
Chad Campbell
Score: 270
2nd Place:
Stuart Appleby
Champion image of Tournament Player
2003 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 269
2nd Place:
Brad Faxon, Kenny Perry, Kirk Triplett, Stewart Cink
Champion image of Tournament Player
2002 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Michael Campbell
Champion image of Tournament Player
2001 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 273
2nd Place:
Phil Mickelson
Champion image of Tournament Player
2000 Champ
Tiger Woods
Score: 270
2nd Place:
Davis Love III
Champion image of Tournament Player
1999 Champ
Tim Herron
Score: 274
2nd Place:
Tom Lehman
Champion image of Tournament Player
1998 Champ
Ernie Els
Score: 274
2nd Place:
Jeff Maggert, Bob Estes
Champion image of Tournament Player
1997 Champ
Phil Mickelson
Score: 272
2nd Place:
Stuart Appleby
Champion image of Tournament Player
1996 Champ
Paul Goydos
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Jeff Maggert
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1995 Champ
Loren Roberts
Score: 272
2nd Place:
Brad Faxon
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1994 Champ
Loren Roberts
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Fuzzy Zoeller, Vijay Singh, Nick Price
Champion image of Tournament Player
1993 Champ
Ben Crenshaw
Score: 280
2nd Place:
Rocco Mediate, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III
Champion image of Tournament Player
1992 Champ
Fred Couples
Score: 269
2nd Place:
Gene Sauers
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1991 Champ
Andrew Magee
Score: 203
2nd Place:
Tom Sieckmann
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1990 Champ
Robert Gamez
Score: 274
2nd Place:
Greg Norman
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1989 Champ
Tom Kite
Score: 278
2nd Place:
Davis Love III
Champion image of Tournament Player
1988 Champ
Paul Azinger
Score: 271
2nd Place:
Tom Kite
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1987 Champ
Payne Stewart
Score: 264
2nd Place:
David Frost
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1986 Champ
Dan Forsman
Score: 202
2nd Place:
Ray Floyd, Mike Hulbert
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1985 Champ
Fuzzy Zoeller
Score: 275
2nd Place:
Tom Watson
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1984 Champ
Gary Koch
Score: 272
2nd Place:
George Burns
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1983 Champ
Mike Nicolette
Score: 283
2nd Place:
Greg Norman
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1982 Champ
Tom Kite
Score: 278
2nd Place:
Jack Nicklaus, Denis Watson
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1981 Champ
Andy Bean
Score: 266
2nd Place:
Tom Watson
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1980 Champ
Dave Eichelberger
Score: 279
2nd Place:
Leonard Thompson
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1979 Champ
Bob Byman
Score: 278
2nd Place:
John Schroeder

Hospitality

Entertain at Orlando’s Signature Event.

Treat your guests to upscale food, great drinks, and air-conditioned views of the tournament action. Contact David Strahan, Director of Business Development, for all your hospitality and sponsorship needs.

Contact David: